Miscarriage and still bleeding?

[pixijal]

I began to miscarry naturally on Sept. 14th.  After discovering no heart beat, and no growth in the fetus, I was sent home with MISOPROSTOL.  It is basically an abortion pill, but in this case was used to evacuate the uterus (instead of d&c).  This was used Sept.15th.  3 days later, I saw my ob/gyn...and via u/s, he confirmed that everything was out.  EXCEPT...17mm of uterine lining, which would be very much like a normal period and lasting 5-7 more days.  That would have given me a total of 9-10 total days of bleeding.  I am now on day 16.  I woke up with early labor like cramps, and what had turned brown over the last few days....is now bright, red blood all day.  I am concerned, but I'm on the fence.  Is this worth an emergency call to my doctor right now?  Or should I wait until Mon.?  I am not losing more than a pad every 3 hours.

[AmandaJ]

I miscarried on 8/20 and had spotting/slight bleeding for 5 weeks.  I also had a u/s right after the miscarriage and they said it looked like everything had come out.  The spotting/bleeding was brown, red, pink.  Once it did get slightly heavier (lighter than a normal period) and I spoke with the nurse who said that was normal... as long as it didn't get too heavy.  I honestly don't know what to tell you about calling or waiting till Monday.  I know how you feel though... not exactly sure why it doesn't stop... wondering if something is wrong.  Hopefully someone else will have some input.

Good luck

[mslkpage]

I think you're okay as long as you're not soaking more than one pad an hour. Do you have a fever? If you do, or if the pain from the cramps isn't alleviated with tylenol or advil every 4-6 hours and/or a heating pad, then go ahead and go to the ER. I understand how you feel, but you know your body best. If your "gut" tells you something is wrong, then go to the hospital. I'm wondering if the lining is shedding later than your doc expected? That would explain the heavy cramps and red blood. I wish I could give you a more defintite answer, but I had a D&C with my m/c. Even so, the bleeding lasted longer than I expected.

[pixijal]

Thanks ladies...I personally feel that it is taking a while for the lining to shed as well.  I don't feel that the 5-7 days he gave me as a deadline, were very heavy....in fact, I felt the opposite.  Maybe it is just taking a while.  I don't feel like I have a fever, so I feel safe with that.  I do have a 'gut' feeling that everything is ok, and I am not in an emergency state.  I needed advice, because sometimes with your own problems....everything seems 'fogged', and it is difficult to see things clearly.

AmandaJ- Have you had af since you miscarried?  If so, how long did it take to show up from day one of m/c?  Or are you pg again?

mslkpage- The cramps are always when I get up in the morning...today they were significantly worse.  As a result, I had much more bleeding today than in the past week. I took 3 motrin, and they subsided...not to return.  The cramps usually do not return in the afternoon.  It is almost like all that stuff pools up inside while I'm lying down...so when I get up, it has to come out....but geez...it is getting uncomfortable!  I don't like to be a 'pest' patient either....I seem to always prefer 'toughing it out'.  Unless things change, I will probably call him on Monday. Do you remember how long the bleeding lasted?  Again, thank you!

[AmandaJ]

It will be 6 weeks tommorrow since m/c and no AF... I think I ovulated within the past couple days... I did a few OPKs this week since my hormone levels were down to normal.  So I am hoping AF will come in 2 weeks.

We want to wait until a normal cycle before trying again... I feel like my body is taking a long time to heal and I don't want to m/c again.  Of course, we haven't been as careful as we should...

[mslkpage]

Actually, what you just said is right. I remember calling my ob's nurse about a week after my first D&C, because I was worried about the bleeding and cramping after I woke up in the morning. She said exactly what you just said- that the blood will "pool" while we're laying for a significant amount of time. I think the bleeding lasted a little less than 2weeks (it wasn't as long the second time, but it was ectopic). But remember, with a D&C, the lining is cleaned out, so there usually is less bleeding. Do you have a heating pad that you can put on your tummy?

[pixijal]

Oh....thank you.  I do have a heating pad...  Right now, the bleeding has tapered off since this morning.  It isn't as light as it usually is in the evening...but it did get off to a heavier start.  I know that after child birth, you should take it easy to promote healing...is that true in this situation?  Everything seems so fuzzy from my dr. appt., after I had found out the bad news...that I don't really know what he told me.  So, I missed a lot.  I told him that he needs to send people home with an 'information sheet'.  Thank you for your advice, now I'm going to try enjoy my Sat. evening!!!

[pixijal]

I feel the same way about 'healing' from this whole ordeal.  Emotionally and physically.  I have two children (ages 3&4), and I feel that postpartum was easier than this.  I seem to recover from childbirth much better.  In addition, when your pregnant, you seem to 'study up' so much about giving birth....that you have a lot of knowledge and better understanding of what is normal and not.  But who 'studies up' in case of a m/c?  Not me. I have felt so unprepared...which makes me feel even more out of control.  Anyway, thanks for your time on a Saturday afternoon.....good luck to you.  Take Care!